383. ‘Vision of Him’

THROUGH the Uncreated,

Uncleft, Untrod,

Breathed for a moment

Sorrow of God.

And lo! it fell starlike—

Trembling to cease

In His Infinite gladness

Infinite peace.

Out of that tremor

Time was made,

Worlds crept into being

Young and afraid.

Slowly, by beauty,

His creatures grew wise,

Slow dawned its wonder

On opening eyes.

Men watched adoring

His waters roll,

Deep flowed His colours

Through sense and soul.

Moan of creation—

Rapture that stirs—

Blindly they learned it,

Years upon years.

Till clearly one spirit

Cried on His Name

From all her lovely

And earthly frame.

Light could not veil it,

Nor darkness dim,

Flesh but receive it—

Vision of Him.

Deep sunk His answer,

The Word that sufficed—

Out of her Body

Cometh His Christ.